Detection of Hemoglobin Inherited Disorders in Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Sensitivity

Abstract

Objective: To detect hemoglobinopathies such as β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia cases using the hemoglobin electrophoresis technique in a population sample from Children's Hospital Lahore.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from Mar 2023 to Mar 2024 at Thalassemia Department, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore. Eighty blood samples were drawn from subjects suspected of having hemoglobino-pathies and examined by Hb electrophoresis. The diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies was made based on hemoglobin electrophoresis, sickling tests, and family studies. Individuals with low hemoglobin concentrations accompanied by elevated abnormal hemoglobin percentages were included in this study. Fifty-eight cases of hemoglobinopathies were diagnosed, including 30 (37.5%) with β- thalassemia and 28 (35%) with sickle cell disease carriers.
Results: β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia carriers were identified in the hematology section of Children's Hospital. Recent hemoglobin protein studies revealed the presence of different common defected hemoglobin types associated with these disorders, distributed as follows: 15 subjects (18.7%) were HbAS (sickle cell minor carriers), 8 (10%) were HbFS (sickle cell minor carriers), 7 (8.8%) were HbS (sickle cell disease), while thalassemic majors were: 9 (11.3%) with HbF and 12 (15%) with HbAF type. Thalassemia minor hemoglobin (HbA2) type represented 7 (8.8%). However, 22 subjects had normal Hb electrophoresis.
Conclusion: The investigations described below demonstrate a rapid and simple method that allows quantitative
analysis of the proportions of various hemoglobin forms present. Hemoglobin gel electrophoresis is a simple and convenient technique for studying hereditary hemoglobinopathies at an alkaline pH (4.8 to 6.8). We suggest extending its usage to detect other hemoglobin disorders.
Keywords: Hemoglobin (Hb), Hemoglobinopathies, Sickle cell anemia, hemoglobin disorders, Sickling test.